It is a known fact that Ashutosh Gowariker's upcoming film KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY is not just about the characters played by Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone but also 50 odd teenagers who turned revolutionaries to free India from Brits. For the film maker too, it was an eye opener of sorts when he started fleshing down the characterisation of these teenagers as it reminded him of his own childhood days.

"Really, once I was through reading the book 'Do and Die' (on which KHELEIN HUM... is based), I was set thinking about my own days as a teenager", recollects Ashutosh Gowariker who has always had a special place for at least one prominent kid in his films, case in point being LAGAAN as well as SWADES.

ASHUTOSH GOWARIKAR

"These kids who were barely 13-14 years old had decided to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the country. I was shocked because how many of us today can even think like this", says Ashu, "When I searched my own self, I realised that as a 13 year old, let aside taking such revolutionary measures for my country, I didn't even think about the cleanliness of my street or the neighbourhood. I was just busy playing games and sports and generally busy with myself."

Today, as his film is ready to be unveiled, he looks back and salutes the real life protagonists whose tale is being told in this action drama.

"I feel it is very important that we appreciate them for what they did and salute them for their act", Ashu gets emotional here, "Our film has tried to capture that emotion for the big screen so that people can acknowledge these teenagers for their true worth."